SPRING SIGNING DAY SEES 11 COLTS COMMIT TO DIVISION I SCHOOLS
April 12, 2017
Posted at 20:48h
in News
On the final National Signing Day of the school year, 11 Christian Brothers Academy student-athletes inked their commitments to Division I colleges across the country.
The following CBA seniors will play at the Division I level next year:
- Genaro Anzalone – Cross Country & Track – Rutgers University
- Brendan Bodisch – Track & Field – Bucknell University
- Matt Cavallaro – Cross Country & Track – Syracuse University
- Riley Gardner – Cross Country & Track – Bucknell University
- Joseph Huber – Swimming – Lehigh University
- Tim Jacoutot – Track & Field – Monmouth University
- Ben Steenland – Golf – Wagner College
- Joe Sparber – Baseball – University of Miami
- J.P. Stark – Cross Country & Track – Bucknell University
- Colin Trigani – Cross Country & Track – Boston College
- Luke Wickham – Crew – Jacksonville University
“Once again, we gather to honor and celebrate our wonderful student-athletes on their commitment to compete at some of the best universities in the nation,” Director of Athletics Vito Chiaravalloti said. “Today is a celebration of the effort, commitment and discipline these young men have exhibited during their four years at Christian Brothers. Although they are embarking on the next phase in their lives, they will always have a home in Lincroft.”
Five of the seniors- Anzalone, Cavallaro, Gardner, Stark and Trigani- were instrumental in helping CBA Cross Country capture their 27th Non-Public A State Championship and advance to the Nike National Championship last fall. Those five, plus Bodisch and Jacoutot, propelled CBA Indoor Track to their seventh straight Non-Public State Championship.
Trigani was a member of the National Champion 4xMile team at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in March. Meanwhile, Anzalone, Bodisch, Jacoutot, Stark and Trigani all became All-Americans at the Indoor Nationals.
Huber was a key member of CBA Swimming’s 27th straight Shore Conference Championship in February, while helping the Colts win three state championships during his freshman through junior seasons. He also won the 100 Freestyle in the state final vs. St. Augustine Prep this year.
On the baseball diamond, Sparber is currently the Colts’ starting catcher, while being a member of last year’s team that won both the Monmouth County and Shore Conference Championships.
Steenland is the second CBA golfer to commit to a Division I school this year. Currently in the midst of his senior season, Steenland helped the Colts win both the Monmouth County and Shore Conference titles during his junior campaign.
Finally, Wickham is currently a member of CBA’s starting Varsity 4 boat, who won at the Head of the Christina and finished a program-best 7th at the Head of the Charles in the fall.
With Wednesday’s signing day, Christian Brothers Academy now has 22 seniors committed to play a Division I sport in college, with over a dozen more expected to walk-on as well. Colts from baseball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, swimming, and track & field have committed to top Division I schools for those sports.
WHAT THE STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE SAYING
“CBA has given us a steady academic workload over the past four years, but I think we are going to be trained well for college. The same type of attitude has carried over to cross country, where we are going to be prepared for the next level.” – Genero Anzalone
“CBA has really helped me improve academically, since I am constantly being challenged to exceed expectations. In both the classroom and on the track, everyone here at CBA is trying to get the best out of each other. When we compete, we compete for not only ourselves, but also our teammates and that is special.” – Brendan Bodsich
“One thing that CBA has taught me is that nothing comes easy as you grow up. We all have been trained to work hard for everything. Especially in cross country and track, they only way to succeed is to be team oriented and grow together.” – Matt Cavallaro
“A better work ethic is something I will leave CBA with for sure. I now know how to take that work ethic and apply it to both the classroom and my running career.” – Riley Gardner
“Something that I have learned here at CBA is how to conduct myself around my teammates, but also with my opponents. I am a better teammate than I was four years ago, but I am also better all-around person. Both on the swim team and around the school, there is such a great sense of community.” – Joe Huber
“Academically, I am a better student now than I ever was before, especially with traits like time management and preparedness. On the track team, I have learned similar things- managing my practice schedule, being prepared for my events- so it will not be a hard transition to Monmouth.” – Tim Jacoutot
“Whether it has been baseball or in the classroom, I have had to constantly be prepared during the last four years. I know that when I get to Miami, I am going to continue to have to balance baseball and school, so I am more excited than worried about the big transition.” – Joe Sparber
“Something CBA has taught me is how to put my teammates before myself. Being on the cross country and track teams, I have seen firsthand how a team can succeed when everyone is fully dedicated towards the same ultimate goal.” – J.P. Stark
“Coach Sewnig has been instrumental for me during my years on the golf team. He has been a great role model and has pushed us to be great. The work ethic model at CBA has helped me become a better student and golfer along the way.” – Ben Steenland
“Being at CBA, I have learned that the best way to get to the top of anything you do is to work as hard as you can. I have seen that everyday with my teammates and coaches here at CBA.” – Colin Trigani
“The academic rigor and athletics level are second to none here at CBA. Going to college, I feel very comfortable that I will be able to handle anything that is thrown my way, whether in the classroom or in my rowing career.” – Luke Wickham
For more coverage of #CBASigningDay, follow the Colts on Twitter and Instagram @CBAColts.